What's with the silver ribbons around Oak Park?

Group puts up decorations for Celebrating Seniors Week

Oak Parker Jean Guarino emailed us Wednesday with a question no one seemed able to answer - what's with all the silver ribbons popping up on trees?

"They are on every other tree and just yesterday someone put three bows on our parkway tree and our neighbors'," Guarino wrote this morning. "There is no signage and no way of telling what they're supposed to signify."

Well, the ribbons are actually being put up by the Celebrating Seniors Coalition, to help commemorate Celebrating Seniors Week, May 6-13. Desiree Scully, secretary for the coalition, says she was out last night tying the ribbons around trees, and about five cars stopped and 12 people came out of their houses to ask about the decorations.

She admits that the ribbons are ambiguous, but hopes that, gradually, people will know what they signify.

"I've heard some people say they're pretty, but they don't know what they're for," Scully said. "But we're trying to get the word out."

The ribbons are made from repurposed holiday decorations that were hanging up in downtown Oak Park last winter. After Celebrating Seniors Week, Scully says they’ll be reused to decorate the Oak Park Arts District for "What's Blooming on Harrison Street."

I notice that the ribbons are purple now. Do you know what the purple ribbons are for?

Marla Wolfinger

Posted: May 11th, 2011 12:25 AM

The ribbons, minus the bows, can be reused later as Woodpecker deterents on buildings. The fluttering of the silver keeps them away......

AlBerg from Oak Park

Posted: May 10th, 2011 4:17 PM

They weren't pretty at Christmas (now renamed "The Holidays") and they aren't pretty now. But I guess spending public money on ambiguous things is what our officials do in Oak Park.

Jocelyn Vetrano

Posted: May 9th, 2011 9:44 AM

Please join us at Holley Court Terrace as we are hosting the ticketed event as the closing ceremony for "Celebrating Seniors Week". Suggested donation of $10 at the door. Friday, May 13th from 4:30 - 6:30.

Teresa Powell

Posted: May 6th, 2011 3:24 PM

The Village of Oak Park is hosting "How to Choose a Contractor and Finance Home Repairs at Village Hall on Wednesday, May 11, at 2:00 p.m. and participating in the Senior Resource Fair on Friday, too. I hope that many of our tri-village residents will participate in the wide range of offerings starting May 6.

Amy Jo Gladfelter from West Suburban Medical Center

Posted: May 6th, 2011 6:57 AM

West Suburban Medical Center is proud to participate in Celebrating Seniors. We are hosting "Silver Screenings" on Monday, May 9th from 9am to 1pm. Join us for health screenings, a movie screening at 10:30am, refreshments, prizes, and more! For additional information or to register for this free program call 1-866-938-7256 or visit www.westsuburbanmc.com. West Suburban Medical Center's Senior Discounted Transportation is available for this event by calling 1-855-711-7433

Jennifer LaFleur from Oak Park

Posted: May 5th, 2011 11:20 AM

The Park District of Oak Park is happy to be a part of this project and is also hosting three "Celebrating Seniors" events! Please visit www.oakparkparks.com for more information or call Meredith Schwartz, our Active Adults Supervisor, at (708) 383-3143.

Patricia O'Shea Facebook Verified

Posted: May 5th, 2011 10:15 AM

Cool!

Debby Preiser from Oak Park Public Library

Posted: May 5th, 2011 9:24 AM

I am delighted to see the silver ribbons around town, and like Jean Guarino, wondered what they are for! The Oak Park Public Library will host three "Celebrating Seniors" programs next week, including one on "Laughter, Meditation and Gratitude" on May 10. See www.oppl.org/events

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